What's important to me? My faith, my family, and my friends.
Sometimes there are books that insist on being written, so I help them along, just so I can learn what they have to say. Whenever possible, have a nice day!

Pages

Sunday, May 27, 2012

The Rushing Wind of Pentecost

While it isn’t as well known and understood as some others, Pentecost is
one of the most important holidays in the Christian year. Why, if it weren’t
for the events of one particular Pentecost a couple ofthousand years ago, our individual lives
would be forever changed.

To some, Pentecost is simply the “Birthday of the Church.”Yes, it is, but this isn’t just like the
anniversary of the founding of a company or something – it’s much more. To say
it’s the birthday and stop at that leaves out the reason and the impact on our lives!

But the
amazing thing is that it wasn’t even “supposed to be” a Christian celebration
at all! The Jewish people observe Pentecost, remembering the time when Moses
was given the 10 Commandments, 50 days after the original Passover. There were about 120
people gathered in an Upper Room to celebrate this traditional celebration. Scripture
tells us that this included the disciples and many women. Jesus’ mother, Mary,
was specifically listed as being there.As you recall, Jesus had appeared to them after the Resurrection. He was
with them for 40 days but had recently gone up into heaven, so was not there.

Did you
notice a connection to another important milestone in our Christian
experience? On the night before He was betrayed, Jesus met with His disciples
to celebrate another Jewish tradition, a Passover meal. It was held in an Upper Room. (Some sources say
it was the same place as their Pentecost observance!) It was a traditional Jewish celebration, one they
didn’t expect to be any different than the many they had celebrated in their
lives. Yet, during this Passover meal, Jesus spoke of being betrayed and reminded
us to love one another. He compared the bread to His body and the wine to His
blood, paving the way for the communion we celebrate today. As recorded in John
14:26, Jesus told them that the Holy Spirit would come. Of course, this meant
nothing to them at the time.

But the Helper, the
Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all
things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you

So what
happened that made this Pentecost celebration different and important to Christians?

As the worshippers gathered in the Upper Room, the Holy Spirit came to them. It
was described as a rushing wind sound that could be heard throughout the city! At
the same time, there were flames on their heads. They began speaking in other
languages that they didn’t even know! But the amazing thing was that others
could understand it as if it had been in their own language! We call this speaking in tongues.

And
when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one
place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind,
and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto
them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they
were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as
the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem, Jews,
devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad,
the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard
them speak in his own language.

Acts 2:1-6

Crowds
of people from the city of Jerusalem heard the commotion and came to see what
it was. Peter spoke to them about Jesus and the need to repent of sins. He said
it was for Gentiles and Jews alike. 3,000 people became followers of Jesus
right then and were baptized. They then went out and shared with others and the
number of believers grew.

Many
call this the birth of the Christian Church. It’s certainly worth celebrating! We
often decorate the church and wear red to remind us of the flames shown. Others
also use the symbol of a dove.

The
Holy Spirit wasn’t just there for a day and then moved on. It is here, for each
of us, if we take the time to look and listen, bringing peace and comfort,
encouragement, and guidance. Today, we celebrate
the birth of the church and especially, the Holy Spirit in our lives.